Arkansas

With its rich natural beauty, Arkansas is a true hidden gem in the Southern part of the United States. Arkansas has one of the most diverse economies in the United States; it is also a plethora of cultural and recreational development.

According to the CNBC, a subsidiary of the National Broadcasting Company, the state of Arkansas is ranked as the 20th best state to conduct business having one of the best economic climates in the country.

It is also ranked 2nd in the lowest cost of starting a business and 11th in the best and most educated workforce. Business regulatory environment in Arkansas is also one of the friendliest.

Arkansas is an excellent place to start a new business as it is not only cost-effective, Arkansas itself is one of the most affordable states to live in since 2014. If you’re planning to start a small business in Arkansas, here are state resources that you can use to make the process easier for you.

With its rich natural beauty, Arkansas is a true hidden gem in the Southern part of the United States. Arkansas has one of the most diverse economies in the United States; it is also a plethora of cultural and recreational development.

According to the CNBC, a subsidiary of the National Broadcasting Company, the state of Arkansas is ranked as the 20th best state to conduct business having one of the best economic climates in the country.

It is also ranked 2nd in the lowest cost of starting a business and 11th in the best and most educated workforce. Business regulatory environment in Arkansas is also one of the friendliest.

Arkansas is an excellent place to start a new business as it is not only cost-effective, Arkansas itself is one of the most affordable states to live in since 2014. If you’re planning to start a small business in Arkansas, here are state resources that you can use to make the process easier for you.

ASBTDC

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is a premier business assistance provider which is a university-based economic program that works with all types of businesses from home-based to high-tech. ASBTDC serves in every aspect of business creation, management and operation including one-to-one confidential coaching and cutting edge market research.

EAST ARKANSAS CROSSROADS COALITION

This organization is a coalition that offers small market advantages combined with large area resources that actively seek to bring new businesses to the area in Eastern Arkansas known as the Delta. Aside from the low costs of business and living, developers are able to make better progress because of the access to local decision-makers found in the area.

ARSCENE

Arscene has a startup toolkit that will help in the genesis and growth of companies find resources. As they receive more information, an on-going resource update will be done. Arkansas startups are creating jobs, driving innovation, and solving problems where learning the use of these startups are featured in articles on their site.

SCORE

SCORE (available in Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock) is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs through business mentorship and coaching. The organization is made up mainly of volunteer business consultants and professionals who voluntarily render their services to entrepreneurs who are still starting out in the industry.

LIFT FUND

Lift Fund is an organization that gives small business owners throughout Arkansas a chance to live their dreams by giving them access to capital. They provide you with the finance loan that best fits your needs with the use of their own designated risk technology that looks beyond credit scores.

Arkansas Economic Development Commission

Arkansas Economic Development Commission utilizes partner in state and federal government, higher education, lending institutions and the private sector to promote the growth and sustainability of small and minority business enterprises contributing to the economic growth of Arkansas. They provide real world and technical and professional assistance, certification, procurement, networking, capital, and contracting opportunities.

Innovate Arkansas

Innovate Arkansas works to turn new inventions and high-tech service concepts into viable commercial enterprises as Arkansas competes for new employment opportunities in an information-driven age; they work with new, technology-based entrepreneurs. The idea to encourage technology-based innovations and create jobs in Arkansas is a program of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Winrock International.

STARTUP JUNKIE CONSULTING

Startup Junkie Consulting specializes in supporting small business and startups innovating around and within retail, consumer packaged goods, supply chain, food, and data analytics. They also provide in depth support, consulting, and assistance to new ventures and small businesses from all industries, ranging from biotech to aerospace. This organization understands the unique obstacles faced by women, minority, and veteran businesses because they are led and operated by these same people in the team.

MY ARKANSAS INSURANCE

A state-based health insurance exchange in Arkansas established to be managed and implemented in accordance with state and federal law. It offers a plan benefit option for your small business based on pre-existing conditions to fit your budget or the needs of employees.

Arkansas Capital

Arkansas Capital is a private corporation dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs in Arkansas through partnership with the lending community. The group provides permanent, long-term financing for business startups, expansions and acquisitions in partnership with financial institutions. The group together with its affiliate companies empower entrepreneurs through capital, educational and technological improvements.

ENTERGY ARKANSAS, INC.

A company that has a program that finds solutions to make business more energy efficient. The program works in a way that you will receive financial incentives from Entergy for projects that make your business facility more energy efficient, which means more money to run your business.

Arkansas Economic Development Commission

Arkansas Economic Development Commission utilizes partner in state and federal government, higher education, lending institutions and the private sector to promote the growth and sustainability of small and minority business enterprises contributing to the economic growth of Arkansas. They provide real world and technical and professional assistance, certification, procurement, networking, capital, and contracting opportunities.

Arkansas Business

Arkansas Business works to turn new inventions and high-tech service concepts into viable commercial enterprises as Arkansas competes for new employment opportunities in an information-driven age; they work with new, technology-based entrepreneurs. The idea to encourage technology-based innovations and create jobs in Arkansas is a program of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Winrock International.

LenCred

LenCred makes complicated small business financing simple by connecting small business owners with the working capital they need to start and grow their business. When applicants pass qualifications for funding, they get freely spendable business credit lines or small business loans that do not require collateral and you take full advantage of the benefits.

HEARTLAND BANK

Being a commercial bank, Heartland works with the business community and consumers to serve with the finest customer service and progressive technology throughout the state and region. Previously a state-chartered bank and a member of the Federal Reserve System which later on completed the transition from an S&L originating home loans to a commercial bank.

THE INNOVATION HUB

The Innovation Hub is the IN place where they create a collaborative ecosystem of innovation that will drive economic development through programs and partnerships, along with unique opportunities for hands-on training and experience for Arkansas entrepreneurs and innovators. It’s in their Innovation Center located in downtown Argenta Arts District where they fuse under one roof the creative energies of separate, but dynamically related ventures.

Arkansas Research & Technology Park (ARTP)

Arkansas Research & Technology Park (ARTP) is a technology oriented business incubator that offers several services to qualifying technology-intensive entrepreneurs and startups who are still in the early stages of development and want to base their operations in a place where they feel safe and secure.

THE VENTURE CENTER

The Venture Center is a business accelerator that turns ideas into real ventures. It helps small businesses obtain validation and achieve viability through organized programming, efficient mentorship, effective business strategies and strategic acceleration programs.

With its rich natural beauty, Arkansas is a true hidden gem in the Southern part of the United States. Arkansas has one of the most diverse economies in the United States; it is also a plethora of cultural and recreational development.

According to the CNBC, a subsidiary of the National Broadcasting Company, the state of Arkansas is ranked as the 20th best state to conduct business having one of the best economic climates in the country.

It is also ranked 2nd in the lowest cost of starting a business and 11th in the best and most educated workforce. Business regulatory environment in Arkansas is also one of the friendliest.

Arkansas is an excellent place to start a new business as it is not only cost-effective, Arkansas itself is one of the most affordable states to live in since 2014. If you’re planning to start a small business in Arkansas, here are state resources that you can use to make the process easier for you.

ASBTDC

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is a premier business assistance provider which is a university-based economic program that works with all types of businesses from home-based to high-tech. ASBTDC serves in every aspect of business creation, management and operation including one-to-one confidential coaching and cutting edge market research.

EAST ARKANSAS CROSSROADS COALITION

This organization is a coalition that offers small market advantages combined with large area resources that actively seek to bring new businesses to the area in Eastern Arkansas known as the Delta. Aside from the low costs of business and living, developers are able to make better progress because of the access to local decision-makers found in the area.

ARSCENE

Arscene has a startup toolkit that will help in the genesis and growth of companies find resources. As they receive more information, an on-going resource update will be done. Arkansas startups are creating jobs, driving innovation, and solving problems where learning the use of these startups are featured in articles on their site.

SCORE

SCORE (available in Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock) is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs through business mentorship and coaching. The organization is made up mainly of volunteer business consultants and professionals who voluntarily render their services to entrepreneurs who are still starting out in the industry.

LIFT FUND

Lift Fund is an organization that gives small business owners throughout Arkansas a chance to live their dreams by giving them access to capital. They provide you with the finance loan that best fits your needs with the use of their own designated risk technology that looks beyond credit scores.

Arkansas Economic Development Commission

Arkansas Economic Development Commission utilizes partner in state and federal government, higher education, lending institutions and the private sector to promote the growth and sustainability of small and minority business enterprises contributing to the economic growth of Arkansas. They provide real world and technical and professional assistance, certification, procurement, networking, capital, and contracting opportunities.

Innovate Arkansas

Innovate Arkansas works to turn new inventions and high-tech service concepts into viable commercial enterprises as Arkansas competes for new employment opportunities in an information-driven age; they work with new, technology-based entrepreneurs. The idea to encourage technology-based innovations and create jobs in Arkansas is a program of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Winrock International.

STARTUP JUNKIE CONSULTING

Startup Junkie Consulting specializes in supporting small business and startups innovating around and within retail, consumer packaged goods, supply chain, food, and data analytics. They also provide in depth support, consulting, and assistance to new ventures and small businesses from all industries, ranging from biotech to aerospace. This organization understands the unique obstacles faced by women, minority, and veteran businesses because they are led and operated by these same people in the team.

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